BetBright Dipper Novices' Chase
Grade 2, Cheltenham 13:25
£35,000 added 5yo+
2m 4f 166y, Class 1  
Tuesday 1st January 2019

1 Lostintranslation 3/1
2 Defi Du Seuil 5/2
3 Black Op 3/1
4 ran NR: Crucial Role Distances: 1¼l, 6l, 78l
Time: 5m 11.30s (slow by 12.30s)

Lostintranslation gets back up to beat Defi Du Seuil in a thriller to win

Lostintranslation
© Racehorse Photos
Lostintranslation

3/1 chance Lostintranslation, trained by Colin Tizzard and ridden by Robbie Power, rallied to deny Defi Du Seuil (Philip Hobbs/Barry Geraghty), the 5/2 second favourite, in the closing stages by one and a quarter lengths.

Seven-year-old Lostintranslation led until two out when 2017 JCB Triumph Hurdle winner Defi Du Seuil went to the front and looked all over the winner before the picture changed again halfway up the run-in.

Tizzard reported:

"I was a worried when we were headed as we all know what Defi Du Seuil has done before, but Lostintranslation definitely looks like a stayer now. He is a beautiful, big old-fashioned chaser and I am sure we will be going up in distance with him now. I was amazed when he got beat at Newbury. He did everything right and then got beat by La Bague Au Roi. The next time out he made a hell of a mistake, but was good and accurate today. He had to get in tight and was good. He has learnt and improved. The RSA (over three miles at The Festival™ presented by Magners in March) is a long way off although we are in the New Year now. To come back and stay on again today shows Lostintranslation is a stayer. This horse could be our next good one. We have been blessed in the last few years with Cue Card, Thistlecrack and Native River. This one is right in the groove already - he is not there yet, but he is as good as they were at this stage."

Robbie Power, who is based in Ireland, commented: "Lostintranslation is just a very, very good horse. It was not ideal having to make the running, but he jumped super. I would have loved something to take me a long a bit quicker as he is a bit idle in front.

"Barry (Geraghty on Defi Du Seuil) was a bit quicker than me at the second last, but I knew goingto the last if I got a good jump, I would get back at him. It was a good performance in a good race - all four of the very good runners could have won. He is still learning and a big baby - he has not had that much racing. Today was his ideal trip and, if there had been something there towing him along at a better gallop, it would have suited him better. He would have a chance in the JLT (at The Festival™ presented by Magnersin March) as it is over the same course and distance, while there is also the RSA to consider too. I think he is best on good ground. I came here today thinking he was the one to beat. I was a bit gutted when La Bague Au Roi beat us first time at Newbury, but in hindsight I shouldn't have been - she is a very good mare and we had to give her seven pounds, so she was a tough nut to crack."

Boylesports

BetBright Dipper Novices' Chase (Grade 2)
£35,000 added 5yo+ 2m 4f 166y, Class 1
4 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Good in places

Pos D Horse SP Jockey Weight Trainer Age
1st Lostintranslation (IRE) 3/1 R M Power
11-0
C L Tizzard 7
2nd Defi Du Seuil (FR) 5/2 B J Geraghty
11-3
P J Hobbs 6
3rd 6 Black Op (IRE) 3/1 N D Fehily
11-0
T R George 8
4th 78 On The Blind Side (IRE) 9/4f Nico de Boinville
11-0
N J Henderson 7
WN Crucial Role Harry Skelton
11-0
D Skelton 7